tempe: Tempe Beach Splash Park- Beat the Arizona Heat at Tempe Town Lake - 08/04/08 01:22 PM
What to do on a summer day? How about cooling off at the Tempe Beach Splash Park? That's what we decided to do yesterday. Juxtaposed between Tempe Arizona's famous Mill Avenue District and the Tempe Town Lake is this little oasis. What better way to beat the heat than to ride the slides and step among the splash pads?

With school just around the corner this was one more opportunity to finish off the summer. … (7 comments)

tempe: The Narrow "Free Money" Window for the First Time Homebuyer - Update - 08/02/08 05:26 AM


Attention First Time Home Buyers:
There is a very a narrow window of opportunity right now.
I'm talking about those who go into contract before October 1st.
You'll be able to qualify for down payment assistance programs that pay most (sometimes all) of your closing costs.
You'll also be able to qualify for the tax credits that will be made available through new legislation. This is a credit toward your taxes valued at up to $7,500.
UPDATE: The details are thus... Any home purchased between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 can qualify for $7,500 or 10% … (11 comments)

tempe: Where are We Now in the Correction? If I had a TV Show.... - 04/11/08 09:19 AM
If I had a TV Show... tonight's news may go something like this...
Previously on "Arizona Real Estate Live!" (cue upbeat southwest music)...
Cut to: scenes of luxury vehicles passing scenic vistas in the hills of Scottsdale to a distant view of the impressive skyline of Phoenix.
Announcer: Since the turn of the millennium, Arizona has become America's destination of choice for those seeking new jobs, a leisure paradise or a big city with small city prices.
Insert "dollar signs" graphics- "then the price corrections began."
Cut to 'expert on the street' interview:  "Phoenix is a top five population city. We … (4 comments)

tempe: Tempe Town Lake Hosts Ironman Arizona - 04/04/08 05:04 AM

World class athletes will be converging on Tempe, Arizona in the following week to participate in the third annual Ford Ironman Arizona competition. What makes this venue unique can be described in two words: proximity and climate.
All the necessary elements are found in close proximity. The transition area, lake and three loop bike and run course are all centered around Tempe Town Lake. The race organizers proclaim, "race day viewing is nothing short of spectacular."
Climate conditions are ideal. Arizona's April weather is summer-like. The water will be cool (around 64 degrees) which is perfect Ironman swimming temperature. The … (6 comments)

tempe: 1935 Advertising - Arizona Tourism Nostalgia - 03/12/08 08:31 AM
It's fun to look back.
As anyone who has ever "gone home" has discovered... sometimes our memories are hazy at best.
That mountain you remembered as a child really is closer to a molehill. The big buildings? - small. The big city itself? - little. Thankfully- there are some memories that can not be changed.
The memory of fun times and great friends. The taste of grandma's cooking. The fragrance of mom's flower garden. You get the picture.
Everyday I pitch the quality of life in Arizona.
I have to admit though, that this must have been a greater challenge in … (6 comments)

tempe: What is Infill? - 01/29/08 04:32 AM

According to the latest wikepedia entry, Infill is "the use of land within a built-up area for further construction, especially as part of a community redevelopment or growth management program or as part of smart growth. It focuses on the the reuse and repositioning of obsolete or underutilized buildings and sites."
In other words, Infill is empty land within an otherwise developed area.
Cities tend to grow outward. New home developments spring up on the outskirts of town because that's where the available land is.
Whenever land becomes available in higher density areas, builders will give it a good look. … (7 comments)